Though the firearm is no longer the belle of the ball as it once was and has since been relegated to reserve duty, it still functions, which would make original Winchester designer T.C. Johnson as happy as a clam.

While gun maintenance wasn't always practiced or preached as much as it should have been in the past, nowadays guns are made with higher-quality, more durable materials. But that's not to say they don't still need a good once-over when you are done with them.

I have seen and heard of plenty of firearms that were used then neglected for a while, only for the owner to open a gun case in horror.

Oxidation doesn't care who you are and can strike in no time if you don't properly care for your tools.

Will Leschper

Now that hunting season is over for most people, it's time to make sure your firearms have been taken care of and stored correctly so you don't open a gun case or gun safe and find a science experiment you didn't know about.

Burnie Stokes, who owns Panhandle Gunslingers, said most people seeking gun care tips just need help getting one clean.

"A lot of people get guns and don't do a deep cleaning for two or three years," he said. "I would recommend getting a good deep clean every year. A gunsmith can go in and find worn parts or things that need to get fixed."

He said that a charge of $50 for a gunsmith to professionally clean a firearm can go a long way toward keeping a gun that's worth hundreds - or thousands - of dollars from becoming an odd-size paperweight.

"Just like a car, a firearm needs preventative maintenance," he said. "A lot of times, they'll get them wet and then go home and just put them in the closet. A firearm, whether it be a pistol, rifle or shotgun, needs proper care, storage and cleaning. Those are the three basic things."

Stokes said some hunters and shooters might overlook other vital parts.

"Keep shooting the rifle is what I recommend just to make sure the scope and all the rings and bases are tightened down," he said. "As far as shotguns, if you're going to lengthen or shorten it, now is the time to do it to get the job done right. Some people will come in a week before hunting season and try to get everything done."

Mike Foy, a gunsmith at Gander Mountain, said his store receives a consistent amount of firearms to work on, but gets slammed in the fall.

"A lot of guys wait until a week before hunting season," he said. "After hunting season, they should dismantle the gun as far they're comfortable with. They should clean it with a good gun solvent, especially the bore.

Foy said gun oil is the only type of oil that should be used on firearms.

"WD40 and other oils aren't good for this application," he said.

When it comes to storing a firearm, Foy said air is an ally.

"You want to put a firearm in a case that's not airtight," he said. "You don't want to have condensation. Even an inexpensive safe is handy."

Foy said he sees a common theme in handling customers' firearms.

"Every year I get people who bring in a gun with a cartridge that's not right for it and I have to get it out without an explosion," he said. "I had a customer buy a brand-new gun in North Carolina and he took it all the way to Arkansas for a snow goose hunt. He didn't have the proper ammo, though."

Foy also said another problem he has seen when common sense is thrown out is having a customer bring a loaded firearm to be worked on.

"A buddy of mine had a customer bring in a .25 caliber semi-automatic that was loaded and slam it on the table," he said. "A round went off and hit him right in the belly button."

Foy said firearm owners should always test the safety catch on their gun by attempting to pull the trigger on an empty chamber when the safety is engaged and then when it is not engaged. If there's any problem, they should have it looked at by a professional.

Bill Howell, who owns Pro Shooters, said his store mostly receives firearms from owners who wish to have the trigger worked on.

"Sometimes we'll also get guys who bring in stuff that belonged to their dad or granddad and they want us to restore them," he said. "With a little work, we can polish up a firearm and make it like new if it's not too worn out or broken."

Howell said good firearm maintenance boils down to common sense cleaning.

"When somebody brings something in and they're not sure about how to clean it, we just go over with them how to clean the bore and the rest of the gun," he said.

With due diligence and care for your firearms, they will last a lifetime. Maybe then you will be able to pass on the tradition and heritage associated with them to your children or grandchildren.

If nothing else, they will provide an excellent conversation piece about good days that will never be forgotten.

Globe-News outdoors editor Will Leschper is a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America and Texas Outdoor Writers Association. Write to him at william.leschper@amarillo.com.